Relationships Among Organisms 17A Energy Exchange Between Organisms
How does energy move in ecosystems? Unlike other resources (like matter), energy does not cycle through ecosystems, but flows in one direction. In most cases, energy flow begins with the Sun and moves from one organism to another.
How does energy move in ecosystems? Many organisms get energy by eating other organisms. Sometimes organisms change energy into different forms as it moves through the ecosystem. Some energy an organism gets released to the environment as thermal energy.
How does energy move in ecosystems? The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can change form.
Modeling Energy in Ecosystems Scientists use models to study the flow of energy through an ecosystem. A food chain is a model that shows how energy flows in an ecosystem through feeding relationships.
Modeling Energy in Ecosystems A food chain is the passing of materials and energy from one organism to another The amount of available energy decreases every time it is transferred from one organism to another.
In a food chain, arrows show the transfer of energy.
Food Webs Scientists use a model called a food web to illustrate all the complex feeding relationships in an ecosystem. Some organisms in a food web might be part of more than one food chain in that web.
Food Webs The many possible interrelated food chains in an ecosystem
Like in a food chain, arrows show how energy flows in a food web.
Food Web
Energy Pyramids Scientists use a model called an energy pyramid to show the amount of energy available in each step of a food chain. The steps of an energy pyramid are called trophic levels. Producers, such as plants, make up the trophic level at the bottom of the pyramid.
Energy Pyramids (Cont.) Consumers that eat producers make up the next trophic level. Consumers that eat other consumers make up the highest trophic level. Less energy is available for consumers at each higher trophic level.
Energy Pyramids (Cont.)
Energy Pyramids (Cont.)